Efficacy and Safety of Topical 5% Cannabidiol Plus Myrcene for the Treatment of Vestibulodynia: A Multi-Centric Randomized Controlled Trial
Filippo Murina 1,*, Giuseppe Ettore 2, Cecilia Fochesato 1 , Maria Grazia Castiglione 2, Melania Caruso 2, Ilenia Fonti 2 and Valeria Savasi 3
1
2
3
*
Lower Genital Tract Disease Unit, V. Buzzi Hospital, University of the Study of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy;
cecilia.fochesato@asst-fbf-sacco.it
Obstetric and Gynecological Unit, ARNAS-Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, 95122 Catania, Italy;
gettore@arnasgaribaldi.it (G.E.); mgraziacastiglione@arnasgaribaldi.it (M.G.C.);
mcaruso@arnasgaribaldi.it (M.C.); ifonti@arnasgaribaldi.it (I.F.)
Clinical Obstetric and Gynecological, V. Buzzi Hospital, ASST-FBF-Sacco, University of the Study of Milan,
20122 Milan, Italy; valeria.savasi@unimi.it
Affiliationer
Background/Objectives: Vestibulodynia is the prevalent form of vulvodynia, causing burning, irritation, rawness, and dyspareunia sensations. This sensory abnormality suggests sensitization to neuropathic pain. Methods: This was a randomized double-blind trial involving patients who applied a 5% cannabidiol gel with myrcene or a placebo to their vulvar vestibule for 60 days, assessing changes in dyspareunia, pain, and vestibular cotton swab test scores on a 0–10-point VAS scale. Results: This study enrolled 40 women, with 20 in the active treatment group and 20 in the placebo group. All symptoms improved in both groups, but the active treatment group showed a greater reduction in VAS scores for pain and swab tests. However, dyspareunia improved significantly more in the active treatment group. Conclusions: Cannabidiol’s positive effects on vestibulodynia patients can be attributed to its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties. It desensitizes transient vanilloid receptor potential channels subtype 1, which are found in peripheral C-fiber nociceptors and mast cells. The results also suggest that myrcene, a terpene found in cannabis, can inhibit peripheral sensitization exerted by cannabidiol.
Keywords: vestibulodynia, vulvodynia, vulvar pain, dyspareunia, cannabidiol, neuropathic pain
